Suddenly, I felt a warm presence beside me. Erik returned, breathless and soaked, wrapping me in his arms. “I’m sorry, Alyce. I shouldn’t have put you in this position.”
“It’s just that Polly has a child,” he continued, his voice softening. “I brought her here, so I felt responsible for making sure she got home safely.”
“Why didn’t you just wait at your mom’s house?” he added, a hint of complaint creeping into his tone.
I looked at him earnestly. “Are you the only one who can take her home?”
“What?” he asked, confusion etched on his face.
“You and Colin drove here today. Are you really the only one who can drop Polly off?”
Erik’s expression shifted from confusion to a mixture of shame and annoyance. He pursed his lips, caught off guard by my directness. “I...”
I cut him off before he could continue. “You want to send her home.”
A shadow crossed his face, and he sighed heavily. “Alyce, are you jealous? I only see Polly as a sister.”
“She’s alone, divorced, and raising a child. There are always going to be challenges,” he continued, his voice softening. “I’m just trying to help her because we grew up together.”
“Help her so much that you quit your job and start a business with her?” I pushed him away, unwilling to cling to the warmth that felt so foreign to me.
Erik looked taken aback but quickly regrouped. “You’ve misunderstood. The company is a joint effort. We’re all seizing an opportunity together.”
He adjusted his tie, his gaze unwavering and still full of affection. “Don’t overthink it. You’re going to be a mother soon. Why are you still so jealous? You wouldn’t want to raise a jealous child, would you?”
But our child is gone.
I opened my mouth to respond, but just then, Erik’s phone rang. The moment he answered, a small, cheerful voice filled the air. “Dad, why don’t you come see me? I miss you!”
Panic flickered in Erik’s eyes as he hurriedly covered the receiver with his hand, retreating toward the bedroom. Moments later, he emerged dressed for the outside world.
“I’m sorry, Alyce. Polly said her child is sick and wants to see me,” he explained, guilt etched across his features.
I shook my head, feigning indifference. “I’m fine. You should go.”
He leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss on my cheek. “Once I finish this, I promise I won’t contact her alone again. I’ll make time for you and the baby.”